Samantha's heart automatically stopped and her jaw dropped.She had waited for him to call her the whole day. She knew he’d call after he delivered the goods she anonymously instructed him to buy for Natalie’s family. Natalie was a clue that would eventually lead to her—the one behind the elaborate game plan of the day. And now that he’s calling her, she’s glad that her plans had worked. She can’t wait to talk to Natalie later.But what if he plans to retaliate that’s why he’s calling her?Then the game is not yet over, she said to herself.She took a deep breath and composed herself. “Hello, Mr. Sandejas. This is Sam Bautista. Are you calling for the payment of the sake? Please tell me your bank account number so I can transfer—““Fine, you won,” putol nito sa kanya, mababa ang tinig ngunit may bahid ng inis.She grinned, satisfied. “I won? What do

 The ride home for Samantha was silent and uncomfortable. She was more than relieved that Aaron was not talking to her since they left SSL’s satellite office. However, the silence is making her feel more awkward about the situation.Aaron was too close as she was seating on the passenger’s seat next to him. And his scent was surrounding all of her—drowning her with memories of him and that night. She knew now that staying unfazed in the presence of Aaron is tougher than she thought.She sighed.“Twelfth,” biglang sabi ni Aaron maya-maya.She turned to him amused. “Ha?”He shot a quick glance at her bago muling ibinalik ang mga mata sa daan. “That’s the twelfth time you sighed in the past hour. It’s either you’re anxious about something or you just really hate being with me and contemplating of jumping out the window?” anito, nakangiti.Napakurap

 Maingat na isinara ni Samantha ang laptop niya, katatapos lang ng online meeting niya sa isang wedding client na naka-base sa Norway.  It was past 8 in the evening at ngayon pa lang siya uuwi. It was a lunch meeting. Well, lunch para sa client nila pero dinner para sa kanilang dalawa ni Mandy.Sila na lang ni Mandy ang naiwan sa opisina. Pinauwi na niya si Bettina dahil nag-aalala ito na baka mabulilyaso na naman ang bebe time nito kay Kristoff. Maging ang ibang tauhan niya pinauwi na rin niya dahil may event sila bukas sa Nasugbu at mamayang madaling-araw ang biyahe nila papunta roon. She wanted her employees to be well-rested for the long day tomorrow.She checked her business phone, walang message o missed calls. She smiled, a satisfied one. It has been more than 24 hours now that she blocked Aaron’s number on her phone.  And she must admit, she’s enjoying her peace.“Mag-che-check lang ako kung naisara na lahat, Sam.

 Samantha gave a satisfied smile as she watched the newly engaged couple in front of her dance inside the makeshift gazebo she and her team have made for tonight’s event. They placed it in the middle of what looked like an enchanted forest near the shore, with fireflies dancing around.It was magical.Sila ang mga clients niya sa isang resort sa Nasugbu na kinaroroonan nila ngayon. Both are doctors and college sweethearts. And she’s glad to be a part of their journey to the road of happy ever after.Happy every after.She smiled bitterly. She doesn’t believe in happy ever afters. With all the things she had been through, how could she? She got burned once, got pregnant unexpectedly and now a single mother to an adorable toddler. The world regarded people like her as a left-over—something that was thrown to the garbage by someone after use. At kahit na anong girlpower quotes pa ang mabasa at maibandera sa harap niya, th

 “Grandpa!” Charlie screamed as soon as the chopper landed on the private beach house Samantha’s family owns.Unang bumaba ng chopper si Lucas, bago sila inalalayang mag-ina sa pagbaba. And as soon as Charlie’s feet landed on the white sand surrounding the area, nagtatakbo agad ito patungo sa lolo nito.Sinalubong naman ng Daddy niya ang apo nito, binuhat bago niyakap nang mahigpit. Charlie did the same thing. It was clear, na-miss ng mag-lolo ang isa’t-isa.“Hello, little princess,” narinig niyang bati ng  Daddy niya kay Charlie.“Miss you too, Grandpa,” sabi ni Charlie, ibinuro pa ang ulo sa leeg ng Daddy niya.She doesn’t know why it feels like her daughter was seeking assurance, some sense of belongingness-- a complete home. Bagay na hindi niya alam kung kaya niyang ibigay.Her chest instantly got heavy. Is this still about them having the same surnames?